London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Stoke expect to complete the loan signing of Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the next 24 hours.

The 25-year-old has successfully undergone a medical at the Potters' Clayton Wood training ground and there are just the final formalities of the paperwork to complete.

Huddlestone's loan is expected to cover the whole season but Press Association Sport understands Spurs will have the option to recall him in January if they wish.

The midfielder has not played a competitive match for almost an entire year, last featuring against Manchester City on August 28.

He has had two operations on his right ankle in the intervening period but has so far failed to impress new manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Huddlestone was not selected in the match-day squad for Spurs' season-opening defeat at Newcastle on Saturday.

Potters winger Jermaine Pennant leaked the news of the midfielder's arrival on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

"I walked in training & got a shock saw my friend Tom Huddlestone... On loan till end of season good signing," he wrote.

"Yes it's true he's going to have a medical later if it's all good we have got him till the end of the season."

Former Liverpool and Leeds winger Harry Kewell, who is now a free agent after leaving Melbourne Victory in his homeland, was also at Stoke's training ground. He had a short conversation with director of football John Rudge but discussions were brief and the Australian is unlikely to be joining Stoke.